How to use zip code instead Lat and Lng in Google maps API

Question

I wonder if there is a way to use zipcode instead of Lat and Lng, using this snippet or using Geocoding Requests.

    <script type="text/javascript">
        function initialize() {
            var latlng = new google.maps.LatLng(22.1482635,-100.9100755);
            // var latlang = new google.maps.zipcode(7845); <- Is there a way to do that?
            var myOptions = {
                zoom: 8,
                center: latlng,
                mapTypeId: google.maps.MapTypeId.ROADMAP
            };

            var map = new google.maps.Map(document.getElementById("map_canvas"), myOptions);
            var marker = new google.maps.Marker({
                position: latlng,
                map: map,
                title:"zipcode"
            });

        }
    </script>

Answer 1

You can use the Google GeoCode API to request the latitude and longitude for the zipcode and go from there.

The API Request URL would look like this if you wanted to do this directly or via some other medium

http://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/geocode/json?address=50323&sensor=false

Where 50323 is your zip code.

Or you could use the google Javascript API to do this all via jQuery.

var geocoder; //To use later
var map; //Your map
function initialize() {
  geocoder = new google.maps.Geocoder();
  //Default setup
  var latlng = new google.maps.LatLng(-34.397, 150.644);
  var myOptions = {
    zoom: 8,
    center: latlng,
    mapTypeId: google.maps.MapTypeId.ROADMAP
  }
  map = new google.maps.Map(document.getElementById("map_canvas"), myOptions);
}

//Call this wherever needed to actually handle the display
function codeAddress(zipCode) {
    geocoder.geocode( { 'address': zipCode}, function(results, status) {
      if (status == google.maps.GeocoderStatus.OK) {
        //Got result, center the map and put it out there
        map.setCenter(results[0].geometry.location);
        var marker = new google.maps.Marker({
            map: map,
            position: results[0].geometry.location
        });
      } else {
        alert("Geocode was not successful for the following reason: " + status);
      }
    });
  }